3 Lessons Learned During 3 Years of #IS Blog.

believe it or not, on 17th September 2012 this blog reached another milestone on its journey. Three years ago was the first time I have posted a blog post in this digital space. Naive, enthusiastic , fearless, driven, a bit “I know it all”, “let me save the world” Ivana posted a video about quitting my job and with title “End, which got me to begin.” Indeed in 2009, closed a door on security, on predictability, on the beaten path of a 9 to 5 job walked by too many before me. I have jumped with a bliss of ignorant beginner into the world where those who really do the work meet, create and collaborate. I have learned how little I know about myself , about human nature and about the world out there. It is three years since I set out on the most exciting and difficult times of my journey in this world. I am insanely grateful for all of you who crossed my path and who still walk beside me. Here are three main lessons, which could wrap up each year with Inspiring Shipments, NGLS and myself.

#1 You are enough

Seriously, if there is one thing you should remember from hanging around IS blog is this: You are enough. You are a lovely human being. One of a kind. Cherish yourself, your story and your experiences. You have so much to offer to the world. We need your authenticity, vulnerability and compassion around here. Simply be you and accept yourself with all your flaws, mistakes and screw ups you have done along the way. We are all guilty of it. We all have ghosts and fears . So, just look at the mirror and note that every great journey starts right there…with that beautiful human being staring at you. Be nice and gentle to yourself, like you would be to anyone who you truly care about. You have got it all, so do not be scared to be you.

#2 Appoint death as your main advisor.

You may think, why is she talking about death in this ‘motivational’ kind of a platoform? Well, those who are around IS regularly will know why. Those who are new here,, please do spare a time to read a blog post from April 2011: “About a Day When I Asked My Dad to Write a Blogpost.”

Yeap, a life and death experience will transform you. I do not wish it on anyone, yet I truly believe that it was the most life-changing experience I was (so far) blessed with. Saying my (first) last wishes and being caught off-guard with the most fundamental fact of our existence, that we are mortal, while writing a blog post made me realize many things. One of them was, that I was absolutely content with the fact, that it seemed to be ‘my time’, because I was doing what I loved the most at that time and I was surrounded with a people I loved the most and I was in a place where I totally belonged. So, ask yourself what would you want to be doing, where and with what people around if it should be your last day and try to get as close as possible to it every day. Indeed, knowing that our time is limited and one day we will be gone is a great reminder of doing work which matters and that moving one’s heart or touching one’s soul through it is worth pursuing. Simply know that you do not know when your last breath will come, so you better give your damn best every single day, so you will not be pissed off that you missed those important conversations or hugs you were planning to do later. Go, do it. If not now, when?

#3 Love changes everything.

As my dear friend Jim says: “Love them and lead them.” You simply cannot teach, lead or ship stuff if you are not in love. Being in love is spooky. You are open, vulnerable, you are willingly putting your skin out there for many angry or sad people to gossip about you, laugh at you, lie to you…Yet, you still do it, because once you know how it feels to be in love with the fact that you are alive, that you have functioning brain and beating heart inside you, you cannot have any regret at being hurt while shipping with a sincere open heart. Pain and tears are inevitable. But… Love is the most powerful, transforming force worth living for in this brief journey of ours. So, be in love…it is magical and it changes everything. Love is being committed to an imperfect person. Love is loving someone, because of her/his vulnerabilities. Love is sharing your story and trust that it will not be used against you. Love is hopping on a plane to an unknown future to be with the person you love. Love is listening and not judging. Love is the answer for every doubt you have in your mind. Love is art. Master it, nothing else matters more…

***

SCG,

you have certainly changed my life and I thank you for it. When, I started this blog I did not have a clue that, I would stick here for three years. Now, those three years seem to me like a very brief moment and the more I learn and experience life, more I feel I know nothing. So, whoever decides to stick around on this journey of not knowing, but keeping a curious mind and heart to explore and invent, come on in.

❤

– is

P.S.: Next adventure of IS will take place next week on TEDx Nitra, where I will share with the world my talk: (R)evolution starts in the heart. See you there and wish me luck, I am terrified, but ready to give my best.

Comments

Awesome post Ivana!
i especially love the way you convey your thoughts in a simplified manner so as to grasp the concept quickly, yet they carry so much knowledge and the best part is that they resonate with me on my day to day walk in life.

Reblogged this on and commented:
this is a post from a special person i hold dear for the depth of knowledge that she has shared to the masses and on a personal level because she inspired me to start blogging some two years ago.
thanks Ivana.

3 years already? You must be kidding me 🙂 So dear Ivka let me wish you all you need ( and don’t forget- All You Need Is Love, love, love 😉
And most of all I wish you love, joy, hapiness, gratefulness, courage and enthusiasm for your lifelong shipping 🙂